Together is a national mental health charity. Their approach is rooted in their long experience working alongside service users as they make choices that shape their lives. Together believe that people experiencing mental distress can direct their own journey towards improved mental health and to live independent and fulfilling lives. Together’s role is to give people the tools and support to achieve this.

Their Criminal Justice Directorate runs Court, Police and Probation based projects across London boroughs to support defendants with mental health needs and a range of other vulnerabilities. All of the provision includes tailored assessment of women to address their specific needs. Three projects offer dedicated support to women – two projects include dedicated women liaison & diversion practitioners at two of the largest remand courts in London and a dedicated mental health practitioner working as part of a pan-London service supporting high-risk offenders under the supervision of the National Probation Service (London division). These services offer mental health and wellbeing assessments to women in custody, as well as women on bail and on Probation. Liaison is undertaken with statutory, voluntary, and women’s services to ensure appropriate support is accessed and when appropriate, short-term interventions are offered on an individual basis.

Interventions can include psychological one to one work, joint work with Probation to support the clients and manage risks, and outreach support to help clients access health, mental health, housing and women’s services. This includes a partnership with St Mungo’s, the homelessness charity, and a provision of a Housing Worker attached to a Court offering housing assessments and advice/referral into appropriate accommodation.